Coupler-centering device



Feb. 8, 1927;

"v, WILLOUGHBY coUPLER GENTERING DEVICE Filed. Nov. 12, 1923 6 Sheets-sheet 1 COUPLER CENTERING DEVI GEA Filed No.. 12, 1925 e sheets-sheet 2 www.

Febn 8 N92?, V. VWLLOUGHEBS' COUPLER CENTERING DEVICE 6 sheefsmsheet- 's Filed Nov, 12, 1923 Feb. s, 1927.

- 6 1,616,603 V. NILLOUGHBY couPLER CENTERING DEVICE Filed Nov. 12, 1925 6 snags-sheet E 8 T927o Feb v. wxLLoUQHBY *l coUPLE'R CENTERING DEVICE Filed Nov. l2, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 @1Q N. Si.

Aira/WVU Patented Feb. 8, 1927.

VCTOR VJLLOGHB, OF RIDGE'WOD, NEV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, AI/[ERCN CAR AND FOUNDRY COMPANY, F NEW YORK, N. Y., A' CORTSORLATON OF NEW JERSEY.

COUPLERQCENTERING DEVCE.

Application lecl November 12', 19723.A Serial No. 674,233.

In the drawings: I Y

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of 'a coupler centering device. constructed in accordance with this invention, a portion of the car platform trame being indicated by broken lines and the `coupler being shown at its limit of moveiiient in one direction in full lines and its centered position being indicated by broken lines. y

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the coupler when in its normal centered p osition and showing th-e centering device inr elevation; I*

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken longitudinelly through the structure shown in Fig. 1; -Fig l is a vertical .section taken on vthe lines -l of Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Y

Fig. G is a. perspective view of the pipe support and spring followers shown de,-V tached from the rest of the structure;

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a portion ot'v the carry iron;

Fig. 8 isa perspective view showing a moditied form of pipe support and spring followers y Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section showing a spring follower of modified de- Sigh;

Fig. 10 is a top planview of a'coupler centering device ot inodilied construction;

F ig. 11 is a view partly in frontelevation and partly in section of the centering device shown in Fig; 10, the coupler shank being indicated by broken lines;

Fig. 12 is an end e'levationofV the centering device shownin Figs. 1() and 11, the platform trame and coupler being omitted y Figs. 13, 111 and 15 are vertical sections taken on the lines' 13-13, r1114414, and 15-15, respectively, of Fig. 11, the platform traine and coupler being omitted.

Y 1t isY an object of this invention to provide animproved.centering device for car couplers. It is also an object of this invention to 'provide an ,improved deviceof the type described which will permit of a limited movement of the coupler without a corre# spending movement of the-train pipes, and which will provide for a simultaneous movement ot the. train 'pipes with the coupler when the movement of the coupler exceeds a predetermined amount.

,l lVitli these and other objects in view ythe invention as shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive,

Acomprises a carry iron 1 secured to the end sill 2 of the plattorm'frame 3. The carry iron 1 comprises a casting having spaced side members 4 and 5 provided with inward ly projecting'langes 6 and 7 by means oit which the casting is secured to the end sill 2 by bolts, not shown, or other suitable securing means. The spaced members 4 and 5 are connected by a crosspiece 8 composed ot' spaced substantially channel shaped sec tions 9 and 10 having outwardly` projectingVV flanges and joined by .spacing and reiiiforc" ing walls 11 andY 12. Theupper edgesY of the channel shaped sections 9 and 10 are raised at their centers for a portion ot' their length and-have slidably'mounted thereon a saddle casting 13 which is provided with spaced supporting portions ll which rest on the upper flaiigesotl the sections 9 and 10 and are Vvprovided with downwardly projecting flanges 15 which serve to guide the saddle casting on the crosspiece 8. Thesaddlecasting 13 is alsoprovided with upwardly projecting flanges 16 forming shoulders between which the lshank 17 of the coupler'18 engages, the iianges 16 being curved, as shown in Fig. 1, to provide a proper engaging sur! face tor the couplerl shank-17 as the co'i'ipler.. is'swung about the point19where it pivotally secured by any suitable means (not Y shown). Resting lupon short'rinwardly pro-` jecting flanges 9 and .10` on the .sections 9 and 10 of the crosspieceS is a pipe-support 2O having a central portion adaptedk to pass beneath vthe saddle Vcasting 13A and between the raised portions of the upper edges. of the channel sections 9 and .10. The .pipe support 20 has its ends bent to Jform the up- *i wardly projecting portions 21 and 22,- thepoition 21 having a train steam pipe 23 secured thereto by a clip 24 and Vbolt 25 while the portion 22 has .secured thereto atrain" brake pipe 26 andra train signal pipe 271by a clip 28'aiid a bolt 29,

the pipe support 2O being the outer support of the pipes which are also supportedl by clips not shown which secure the pipes toV the car trame at afsutlicient distance from the end sill to allow of the ends of the' pipe being moved the desired distance Vacross the carry iron without' causing a rupture of the pipes .or necessitating a swivel joint in the. pipe length. Mount- 12 isa bolt 32 having mountedthereon fed in openings in the spacing walls 11j-and i' n i spring followers 33vand 34 and a spring 13V which is confined between the walls 11 and `12 underV an initial compression. The spring followersV 33 and-34 are yprovided with spa-ced 'upwardlyVY projecting fingers 35, 35 and 36, 36, respectively, which project upwardly through notches or openings 20 in the pipe VVsupport 2O and engage with the walls of thesaddle casting 13, it beingnoted that in the normal position of theparts with the couplershank centered the spring followers .33 and 34 engage the walls A11 12, re-Y f spectively, and the ling-ers 35, 35 Vand 36,

' 36 are in engagementv with the walls'of the `saddle casting and with the outer edges of the openings in Athe pipeA support 20 through c which they project. As shown in the drawframe Y n,

VIn the operation of'this device it will be ing-s, the trainpipe 26 is provided with the .usualangle cock 37 having a handle 38 while tis the steam pipe 23 is provided with a valve 39 operated by'r'a valve operating mechanisinlll slidably secured by a bracket not Yshoiivn-tothe end `sill 2 of the car platform noted that any movementof thel coupler 18V toeither side of its normal or central posi- V tion will cause the saddle. casting 13 to vtravel valongr the channel sections 9 and 10 and 'through its engagement withvthe projecting Vfinger portions 35, 35 and 36, 36 of the c spring'followers 33 and 34 respectively,'will :cause one 4of the spring followers to travel valong therod 32 compressing the spring 43,

V.the opposite end of the spring and the other.V

spring *follow-er Vbeing held. against movementloyengagement with the adjacent spac- V jing wall V11 or 12.v As the fingers 35, 35 or "36, 36 Zare moved theyV will travel in the-V Aopenings 2Q inthe pipe support 2O for a predetermined distance before engaging the.

opposite side of the openings, a construction .which willpermit of a predetermined transvfverse or lateralmovement of the coupler13 without a V.correspond-ing movement Vof'V the pipe support 2O and the train pipesv23, .26,

and 27.., Any further movement'of the cou- Y vp'ler 13 after the projectingri'ingers 35,v 35- or736, 36 arein engagement with the inner edges Vof theopenings in the pipe support Y2() will cause the pipe support y2O and the '.trainpipesto move 'simultaneously with fthe coupler. 18,` this `movement continuing- -v until thel coupler 18V engages with the end A.o foneof the flanges or lof thecarry iron Vl1 which .seri-'eras Ystops limiting the movering fingers travelingin..openings '20. inthe p lpipe"supportp20 until the fingers engage Y 65 VTwith the outer edgesof the openings, where` Y V"fi-ment of the coupler 'YI-f pressure on. the l.coupler 18'is released, the spring 43, acting f Vthrough the engagement'v of the projecting Qth'e casting 13, will returnthe coupler 18 to.

fingers 35,35for`36, 36 with the wallgof its normalk or central position, the projectupon they-pipe support.V 2O will be moved simultaneously with the coupler 18 until i the parts are returned to their normal posi- Y tion, as shown in Fig. 2, with the spring followers 33 rand 34 inengagement with the walls 11 and 12, respectively, and the iin- Vgers 35, 35 and 36, 36 in engagement with theconstruction ofthe Fig. 6 provides for,"` f' a paifrof projectingffingers on each-spring follower. Y The modified elements shown in Fig. 8 are assembled withv the other elements of the centering device in the same manner as are the elements shown in Fig. 6 and operate inthe same manner.

In themodified design 'of spring follower Y shown inl Fig. 9, thefspringy follower is provided with a sleeveeil formed integral therewith and which receives'the rod 32 and projects into the coils of thevspring 43, this servingy tok'eeprthe spring 43 properly .positioned and aiding in guiding'the spring follower. A j

In the modified construction shown in FigsplO to 15, inclusive, the carry iron "'50 comprises a casting having spaced side membersy 51 and 52 having flanges 53 and 54,

respectively, by means of which the carry iron is Ysecured to platform end sillr55 by bolts 56. The spaced side members 51 and Y,5,2 areconnected by a Vcrosspiece 58 of substantially I-s`hape and having an upper flange of greater widthV than the lower flange providing bearingsurfaces't), 60 and 6l. Y The bearing surface 61 at the center of the crosspiec-e 53 is raised above the bearing surlfaces 59 andGO atfthe sides and supports les asaddle casting 62 provided with down! wardly projecting ianges63 which guideY it on the bearing vsurface 61.VV VThe saddle cast-v ing 62 is alsoprovided'with curved upward.

ly projecting flanges 64C which serve as the coupler 65 which rests uponvthe saddle vshoulders forl engaging with the shank of casting G2 and ispivoted, as Vat (66. Slidably mounted upon thebear'ing surfaces 59'and 60 is a'pipe support 67.00111- prising spaced bracket arms 63 and 69 connected by spaced connecting members Z0 and and 60. To theV bracket arm 68'tl1e train 71 lying on the opposite sides of the Vraised portionof the crosspiece 53 vand having their f r ends form` guideflanges which Yguide the .pipe support 67 on the bearing surfaces 59 pipe 72 is secured bya clip .73 rand bolt l74 While to the bracket arm 69 the train brake pipe 75 and `the train signalfpipe 76'are secured to a clip 77 and bolt 7 8. Both ont the bracket arms 68 and 69 are providedat their upper ends With cylindrical openings in which are mounted plungers 8() provided With collars 81 which engage With shoulders 82 formed in the bracket arms and limit the outward movement of the plungers. Each plunger 8O is provided with an opening to receive a bolt 83 which projects through the plunger and the opening in the bracket arm vand extends into an opening formed in the adjacent. one ot the spaced members 51 and 52 of the carry'iron `50.

engagement otl its squared head 84 in a correspondingly shaped opening 85 in Vthe plunger 8O While at its other end vitv is threaded to receive an adjusting nut 86 c which is prevented from turning from its adjusted position by the engagement of the squared portion of the adjusting nut with a nut lock` 87 heldin place byV a bolt vS8. Surrounding the bolt 8,3 and conlined between the plunger SOYand a Washer 89 which engages in a slot 90 in 'each ot thev spaced members 51 and 52 is a spring 91 which is conlined under initiall compression and tends to force the plungers 8O outwardly' and through engagement of the collar 81 on the plunger 80 with the shoulder 82 on the pipe support 67 it forces the pipe support tonormal position carryingV With the pipe support the train pipes 72, 75, and 76.

In the operationot' this device, movement of the coupler 65 to one side 'of the normal or central position will cause the coupler, through its engagement with one of the plungers 80, to compress the spring 91 and force the plunger 8O invvardly,the plunger moving inwardly in the bracket-arm until the coupler engages with the face of the bracket arm, whereupon, any further movement of the coupler to that sidev otl its nor# mal position Will cause the coupler to carry with it the pipe support 67 and the train pipes secured thereto,;further compressing the spring 91 until lmovement ot the coupler and pipe support is'stopped by the engagement of the pipe support With the linn-er tace of one ot the spaced members 51 or 52. Upon release of the pressure on the coupler the spring 91 will torce the coupler toward its normal or central position', shitting the plunger `in thevbr'acket arm until the ,collar S1 engages with the shoulder 82 rwhereupon the spring 91 Will return the pipe support 67 and the train pipes With the coupler 65 to the normal or central position, it being understood that the adjustment of the plungers 8O is such that they are both inengagement Withthe couplerV 65 and the collars 81 are both in engage- At its outer end the bolt 83 is prevented from turning by the ment kWith the shoulders 82 when the coupler 65 and pipe support 67 are' in'normal or central position. It vvill' be noted that'in the structure shoivn iii Figs. v10Kt'o 15, lin

elusive, aswell as "in the st-ructure shown the free or independent Vmovement, ot' thev coupler being designed to 4besutlicient for' most' of the usual movements of the coupler,

-the coupler engaging yWith-the pipe carrier ad shifting the train pipesonly occasion a y j Y v Y What is claimed is: V l 1.V Ina centering device for a transversely movable coupler, a carry iron extending beneath the coupler, aV saddle for supporting the coupler and slidable longitudinallyfof said carry iron With the coupler, train pipe supj'iorting means slidable aloiigsaid carry j iron, andyieldablemeans n'irmallyv vretain*- ing the coupler andl saddle centrally located with respect to the train pipe supporting means and the pipe supportingmeans centrally located with respect'to the carry iron,

the coupler and saddle having movement independent of the pipe supporting means for a portion of their extent of travel and having movement together With the pipe supporting means during the remainder of their Y extent of travel. j 1 f 2. ln a centering device for a transversely Y movable coupler, acarry iron extendiiigybeneath the coupler, 'a train pipe supportslidable longitudinally upon'thecarry iron and normally disposed midway the length thereof, a coupler supporting saddle slidable loii gitudinally oft thepipe support and carry iron and normally disposed midway' the length of the pipe support, and means for yieldably retaining the'pipeV support and saddle in a normal position .and permitting iii'- dependent movement ot' the saddle for a portion of its path of travel and unitary move-k ment ot the saddle and pipe supportfor the remainder ofthe path of travel of the saddle. Y

3. A centering device for car couplers comprising a carry iron, a train pipe support resting upon said carry iron and slidable longitudinally thereonv a coupler saddle disposedintermediate the. ends of said pipe supportrand slidable longitudinallyv of the carry iron and pipesupport, said saddle hav ingmovei'neiit independent of .the train pipe y support for a portion Aof its path of Vtra-vel andmoving With the train pipe support d'urp l ing the remainder of its path' oit travel, and yieldable means normallyV retaining theV pipe support centered With respect-to thecarry iron and thesaddle centered `with respect tov the pipe 'support and carry iron;

4. A centering device for car couplers comprisinga carryiron, a train pipe support resting upon said carry iron andslidable longitudinally thereon,the pipe support having yupstanding end portionsand means for securing pipes tothe upstanding end 5n portions, a coupler saddle disposed intermediate the upstandingend portions Vof Vsaid 1 pipe support and slidab'le longitudinally oi the carry iron and pipe supportsaid saddle havingv lmovement'V independent of the pipe support during a portionof itspath of travel 1 and the saddle and pipe support having unitary movement during the remainder of the lpaui or umu pluie Studie, and yieifiabie Y means normally/'retaining' the pipe support centered with respect to tlie pipe support y 5.`In `a,centeringdevice for atransversely movable coupler, a carry iron, a pipe'.sup-

Y Y. port carried byan'd slidable longitudinally Y upon said carry iron and having upstanding end portions and means for securing pipes to.

the upstanding end. portions, a coupler carrying saddle slidable between the upstandf ving end portions o'l said pipe support, and `yieldable meansY nornially'retai'ning the sad- `dvle and a coupler carried thereby centrally located between the upstanding end portions i VYottliepipe Vsupport `and the pipe support vcentrally locatedrqwith respect to the carry iron. Y Y

p 6.1 In -a centering device for a transversely movable coupler, a carry iron, a pipe support Vcarried by, and slidable longitudinally upon Vsaid carry'iion and having upstanding por-y 33 tions'andmeans for securingpipes'to the up` vstanding portions, Ya coupler carrying saddle slidable between the upstanding portions oi said pipeV support,V and vyieldable means for normally retainingA the saddlecentered with respect to the'pipe supportand the pipe support centered with respectto the carry iron. V7;In a centering device for atransversely movable coupler', a carry iron', a pipe support carried'byfand slidable longitudinally upon saidcarryiron, a Vcoupler carrying saddle slidable fonnsaid carry iron, and yieldable Vcentering means for said saddle. and lpipel support, said centering means being carried by lsaid carry iron and placedunder coin-V Vpression when the .saddle and a Vcoupler cari'iedthereby'are moved longitudinally of the ,pipe support, the vpipe support having Vmovementwith the saddle duringa portion of the Y movement oie the saddle, andsaid yieldable ,",means being -engageabie with the pipe sup- 'P'Olt to return theirpe support t0 its ma filial position." Y Y Y y Y 8.]111 a'fcentering deviceffora transversely lmovable coupler, a carry iron, a pipe support resting uponandrslid'able longitudinally of said carry iron, 'a'.coupler carrying saddle slidablev longitudinally of said pipe support, the pipe support having openings intermediatelits length andthe saddle'having abut` ments at *itsy ends,` and yieldable centering centered upon the carry iron and the saddleV .means mounted for movement longitudinally oi said `carry iron andextending throughtlie openings of said pipe support and engaging the' abutments of the saddle, said centering means normally Vcentering the sad-l dle'vvith respect to the pipe support and carry iron and through engagement with the pipe support at the ends oif the openings imparting movement thereto land normally centeringvtlie pipe support relative Vto the carry iron. l 9.' In a centering device for a transversely movable coupler,V a carry iron, a pipe support resting upon and slidable ,longitudinally oisaidcarry iron, a coupler carrying saddle slidable longitudinally of said pipeV support, the pipey support having openingsV intermediate its length and the saddle havling abutnients at its ends,v and yieldable means slid-ably carried by said'carry iron tor. ,Y f

inmfementr longitudinally thereof Vand vrpro-"I jecting through thel openings for engage ment with the abutments of said saddle and the pipe support atthe'ends of the openings,

said yieldable means normally centering the pipe support with Vrespect to the carry ironV slidable longitudinally Yof saidY ments at'its ends, a rod carried by and leX- Vtending longitudinally of said carry iron,

followers slidable upon said rod and having ngers extendingupwardly through the pas-V sages oi said pipe'support for engaging the abutments of said saddle, and Aa. spring upon said rod betweenv the followers urging the Jfollowers away from each other and through engagement of the fingers with the abut- Vments of the saddle and the pipe support at Vthe ends of the passages retaining tliesaddleV and pipe support in, a normal position. Y

l1. A centeringV device for ycar Vcouplers f- Vvcoifnprising a carry iron, atrainY pipe sup` port resting upon saidcarryy iron and slidable longitudinally thereon, a ,coupler saddle resting upon said lcarry iron intermediate ltlie length of said train pipe support and slidable longitudinally upon said Vcarry iron, j vsaid saddleI having movement independent .of the train pipe'support for a portion otite ypath ottravvel ,and having movement with the t-rainpipe support during the remainder of its path of travel, and means for yieldably retaining tl'iesaddle and trainV pipe support in a normal position.V

l2; A i centering .device comprising a carry iron, a train pipe sup- 4port.resting upon Vsaid carry iron and slidiisA for car couplers I able longitudinally thereon, a coupler sad-A dle resting upon said carry iron intermediate the length of said train pipe support and slidable longitudinally upon said carry iron, the train pipe support having upstanding portions disposed .upon opposite sides of said saddle, the saddle having a. limited movement between said upstanding end portions independent of the pipe support and al movement with the train pipe support, and means yieldably retaining the train pipe support and saddle in a normal position with the train pipe support disposed intermediate the length of said carry iron and the saddle intermediate the upstandiiig portions of the train pipe support.

12scentering ldevice for car couplers comprising a carry iron, a train pipe support i'esting upon said carryV iron and ,slidable longitudinally thereof and having upstanding end portions and means for securing train pipes to the upstanding end portions, a coupler saddle resting upon the carry iron bet-Ween the upstanding end portions of said train pipe supportaiid slidable longitudinally of the carry iron, said saddle having a limited movement independent of said pipe support and a movement with the pipe support, and yieldable means normally retaining the pipe support and the saddle centered With respect to the carry iron.

. 14. A centering device for car couplers comprising a carry iron, a train pipe support resting upon said carry iron and slidable longitudinally thereof, a coupler saddle resting upon the carry iron and slidable.

longitudinally thereof and imparting movement to the pipe support, said saddle having a` limited movement independent of said pipe support and a movement with the pipe support, and yieldabl-e means for normally retaining the Apipe support centered Witlirespect to the carry iron, and for yieldably retaining the saddle centered on the carry iron.

15. A centering device for car couplers comprising a carry iron, a train pipe support resting upon said carry iron and slidable longitudinally thereof and having upstanding end portions and means for securing train pipes to the upstandingend portions, a coupler saddle resting upon'th-e carry iron and moved longitudinal-ly' thereof' by the coupler, the coupler also imparting movement to the pipe support and said saddle having a limitedr movement independent of the pipe support, and resilient means normally holding` the pipe suppoit'and the-.sadi. dle centered with respect to the carry iron.

16. Acentering device for car couplers comprising a carry iron, a train pipe support resting upon said carry iron and slidable longitudinally' thereof, a coupler saddle moved by the couplei longitudinally of the pipe support', said Vcoupler, also imparting movement to the pipesupport, andsaid saddle having a llimited movement independent of theI pipe-support, and resilient means Lexerting -a force tending to hold the pipe l support and the saddle centered With respect to the carry iron.

17. In acentering device for a coupler, a slidably mounted saddle for carrying thel coupler, a slidably mounted train pipe supporting means having a limited movementwith the coupler, means for exerting a force tending to hold the pipe supporting means and saddle in a central position, and means for insuring a limited movement of the sadiron for exerting a force tending to hold the. supporting means and thesaddle in a central position and means for insuring a lim- ','ited movement of the saddle by the coupler from the central position priorVv to any movement of the supporting means by thecoupler.

In Witness vvhereof I have hereunto set my hand.

vioronv WILLOUGHBY. y 

